Tory move for two-week cut in abortion time limit

A senior Tory MP has backed cutting the abortion time limit to 22 weeks, raising doubts over whether pro-life MPs will get it lowered to 20.

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley told MPs he believes there is a case for reducing the 24 -week period for terminations. But he stopped short of calling for a more radical reduction than two weeks.

He said: "I personally would argue to 22 weeks in order to ensure a prospective legal framework which could accommodate improving medical science."

Some pro-life Tory MPs, who have even suggested almost halving the 24 week limit, feared that a pro-Government Labour MP would win support for a cut of just two weeks.

Although the issue will be decided on a free vote, Mr Lansley's intervention will intensify the debate around 22 weeks. Tory leader David Cameron has voiced support for a lower time period but he has not made clear which time limit he will vote for in the Commons.

The Government avoided a major rebellion last night as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which will regulate the use of human embryos for research, cleared its first Commons hurdle. Only nine Labour backbenchers voted against the Bill, which was given a second reading by 340 votes to 78, a majority of 262.

Ministers will face a sterner test when the measures return next week and Labour MPs have a free vote on some of its most contentious elements - hybrid embryos, the creation of "saviour siblings" and preventing IVF clinics from refusing treatment to single women and lesbian couples. Free votes will also be held on amendments to the legislation to change the abortion laws.

The Bill will allow the creation of hybrid human and animal embryos, which scientists hope will lead to developments in the treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

It also removes the requirement for fertility centres to consider a child's need for a father figure before authorising treatment. Parents will also be allowed to select an embryo which is a genetic match for a seriously ill child to create a "saviour sibling" able to donate tissue to their older brother or sister.

Pro-life campaigners are set to attempt to use later stages of the Bill to reduce the abortion time limit from 24 weeks to as little as 13. Health Secretary Alan Johnson stressed the shake-up aimed to support scientific advances that benefit patients and their families through a clear legal, moral and ethical framework that provides proper controls and safeguards.

However, Labour backbencher Geraldine Smith described the removal of the need for a father for a child born through IVF treatment as "one of the most ill-conceived measures to be put before this House while I've been a member of it". She said the creation of hybrid embryos was "revolting" and saviour siblings "appalling".